“A lifejacket can’t save your life unless you’re wearing it and this is a fun way to promote the ‘Wear It!’ message.

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Jessica Watson, Ports and Waterways Minister Paul McLeay and the boating industry today set a provisional world record of 415 lifejackets inflated at once in the one location, putting the spotlight on safety.

Jessica Watson and Mr McLeay led the countdown for industry guests attending the Sydney International Boat Show official opening function, instantly creating a sea of people in yellow.

Mr McLeay said the record was set around 9:35am this morning at the Sydney International Boat Show.

“The previous record had been set in North America on 20 May this year by 86 people in Columbus Ohio simultaneously inflating their lifejackets,” Mr McLeay said.

“We’ll be submitting our result of 415 people to the National Safe Boating Council for ratification.

Mr McLeay said this was more than just a ‘feel-good’ end to the Boat Show’s annual breakfast function, it served to highlight important safety messages about lifejackets.

“A lifejacket can’t save your life unless you’re wearing it and this is a fun way to promote the ‘Wear It!’ message.

“It’s also important that people are familiar with their lifejackets functionality. The first time you ever try to inflate a lifejacket shouldn’t be when you’re in an emergency.

“New rules being introduced on 1 November this year will require children under 12 years and boaters in heightened risk situations to wear lifejackets.”

Background notes: • The event is part of the Wear It! lifejacket awareness campaign, had the support of the National Safe Boating Council of North America which introduced the Ready Set Inflate! project this year. • Today’s effort in Sydney resulted in 415 inflatable lifejackets being activated to set a new record which is being submitted to the National Safe Boating Council for ratification. • The 43rd Sydney International Boat Show is being held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour until 2 August 2010.